bogmonster
Established Member
Hi,
My rather troublesome Poolewood manual speed control hunk of junk has bitten the dust. There is too much wrong with it to get any enjoyment out of using it any more:
1) The Motor was missing a key (now replaced) and the shaft is badly worn - unless greased every day (which involves a complex strip down of the speed control) is is unbearably noisy and getting worse every time I use it.
2) The motor has a problem with the centrifugal switch and arcs badly sometimes - the load crack is enough to scare me half to death.
3) My hokey large diameter turning 'bed' is n't great and requires a lot of fiddling and even then is not very rigid.
4) The banjo has been modified by a previous owner and it is hard to fit the tool rests - real PITA
Other than the above issues I don't like:
1) It's minimum speed of about 350rpm - too fast for my largest bowls and too fast for sanding
2) It's size
What I really like is the turning position with the headstock swivelled 90 degrees.
So, I think I have decided on a replacement, but before I go there, this is what I want:
1) To be able to turn standing in front of the bowl, not leaning over the bed. Due to ill health I find leaning over the bed uncomfortable.
2) Something where I can turn bowls up to say 18" - and not just platters, deep bowls
3) Hollow headstock spindle so I can use my cheapo vacuum chuck - real convert on vacuum chucks
4) Variable speed
5) Cheap
6) It would also be useful if I could reuse my existing chucks and face plates which are very similar to a graduates but with a fractionally wider shoulder.
Having the option of using a tail stock would be handy but to be honest I hardly ever use one.
Sadly there is little I really afford. I think the best option might be a short bed graduate. Ok, the tailstock is a bit of a joke but I can probably live with that. I can weld up a riser to get a sensible working height. They look cool and they are probably the most affordable option that ticks the boxes. I expect by chucks and faceplates will fit - maybe with a tiniest amount of lateral play.
I am thinking about £500 for a lathe and £450 for a new motor and inverter (assuming I am not lucky enough to get a dual voltage motor).
* The Jet 1442 is too small.
* The Jet 1642 is too small.
* The Jet 3520 looks perfect but is too expensive - if money was not so tight I think this would be the lathe for me.
* The Record Maxi 1 (with bowl attachment) looks good but still too expensive
* Hegners and Wevamacs are also too expensive
Basically, I have done well with the cheapo Poolewood and I am struggling to find anything that will be capable enough in my price range.
Another advantage I can see with the Graduate is that the prices hold up well so if I ever do sell it on I probably won't loose too much.
Confused, BM
My rather troublesome Poolewood manual speed control hunk of junk has bitten the dust. There is too much wrong with it to get any enjoyment out of using it any more:
1) The Motor was missing a key (now replaced) and the shaft is badly worn - unless greased every day (which involves a complex strip down of the speed control) is is unbearably noisy and getting worse every time I use it.
2) The motor has a problem with the centrifugal switch and arcs badly sometimes - the load crack is enough to scare me half to death.
3) My hokey large diameter turning 'bed' is n't great and requires a lot of fiddling and even then is not very rigid.
4) The banjo has been modified by a previous owner and it is hard to fit the tool rests - real PITA
Other than the above issues I don't like:
1) It's minimum speed of about 350rpm - too fast for my largest bowls and too fast for sanding
2) It's size
What I really like is the turning position with the headstock swivelled 90 degrees.
So, I think I have decided on a replacement, but before I go there, this is what I want:
1) To be able to turn standing in front of the bowl, not leaning over the bed. Due to ill health I find leaning over the bed uncomfortable.
2) Something where I can turn bowls up to say 18" - and not just platters, deep bowls
3) Hollow headstock spindle so I can use my cheapo vacuum chuck - real convert on vacuum chucks
4) Variable speed
5) Cheap
6) It would also be useful if I could reuse my existing chucks and face plates which are very similar to a graduates but with a fractionally wider shoulder.
Having the option of using a tail stock would be handy but to be honest I hardly ever use one.
Sadly there is little I really afford. I think the best option might be a short bed graduate. Ok, the tailstock is a bit of a joke but I can probably live with that. I can weld up a riser to get a sensible working height. They look cool and they are probably the most affordable option that ticks the boxes. I expect by chucks and faceplates will fit - maybe with a tiniest amount of lateral play.
I am thinking about £500 for a lathe and £450 for a new motor and inverter (assuming I am not lucky enough to get a dual voltage motor).
* The Jet 1442 is too small.
* The Jet 1642 is too small.
* The Jet 3520 looks perfect but is too expensive - if money was not so tight I think this would be the lathe for me.
* The Record Maxi 1 (with bowl attachment) looks good but still too expensive
* Hegners and Wevamacs are also too expensive
Basically, I have done well with the cheapo Poolewood and I am struggling to find anything that will be capable enough in my price range.
Another advantage I can see with the Graduate is that the prices hold up well so if I ever do sell it on I probably won't loose too much.
Confused, BM
